Sean Long could face more trouble with the game's authorities over another betting claim in his controversial autobiography.

Banned in 2004 for betting on his club St Helens to lose a Super League match at Bradford, Long whipped up a storm by implicating his team-mates and players from Bradford in that incident.

In Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal, which was published on Monday, the former Great Britain half-back also reveals he gambled on the game as far back as 1998.

Long stood to win around £3,000 after placing bets totalling £70 on a drop goal opening the scoring in a Saints fixture at Leeds.

The bet was foiled when Leeds opened the scoring with a try and Long admits: "I was almost in tears."

Long's book also tells all about his sudden departure from the 2006 Tri Nations tour Down Under. He recalls how he flouted a drinking ban on the night of Great Britain's defeat by New Zealand and how he drank Baileys from a protein shake bottle on the flight from Wellington to Sydney the following morning.

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A homesick Long admits his heart was never in the tour and that he had planned to leave even before Britain's famous win over Australia.

Australian Michael Maguire has emerged as the likely successor to Brian Noble at Wigan.

Wigan have called a press conference for Wednesday at the DW Stadium, where the Melbourne Storm assistant is expected to be unveiled as their new head coach. Noble's contract runs out next month and chairman Ian Lenagan confirmed after Saturday's season-ending 14-10 play-off defeat at St Helens that he was not being offered a new deal.

Reserves coach Shaun Wane, a former Wigan and Great Britain prop, is also in the running but is more likely to be appointed Maguire's assistant.

Wigan half-back Thomas Leuluai is the only Super League representative in New Zealand's 23-man squad for the one-off Test against Tonga next week and the Four Nations series in England and France.

Meanwhile St Helens captain Keiron Cunningham is prepared to defy medical advice to lead his side against defending champions Leeds in the Engage Super League Grand Final.

The veteran hooker played in Saints' 14-10 semi-final win over Wigan with pain-killing injections to combat a hairline fracture in his hand and on Monday underwent scans. Coach Mick Potter says Cunningham is a definite starter on Saturday – and with centre Matt Gidley (groin) and prop Tony Puletua (shoulder) also set to defy injury, he will take his place in a full-strength side.

Leeds, too, will be at full strength with coach Brian McClennan insisting full-back Brent Webb will play despite being hurt in the Rhinos' 27-20 win over Catalans Dragons last Friday.

Leeds will welcome back second rower Ali Lauitiiti, who missed the semi-final through illness, with Simon Worrall likely to make way.

Huddersfield Giants dominated the awards at the prestigious Super League Man of Steel dinner in Manchester.

Australian full-back Brett Hodgson was named Man of Steel, fellow countryman Nathan Brown won the coach-of-the-year award and Huddersfield were named engage Super League club of the year.

Brown topped a poll of his fellow Super League coaches after transforming the fortunes of the West Yorkshire club in his first season at the Galpharm Stadium.

Huddersfield, who finished third from bottom of the table in 2008, came third this year and reached the Challenge Cup final, with Hodgson the central figure behind their improved fortunes.

The 31 year-old former Wests Tigers favourite was named Rugby League Writers' Association player of the year last month and won the most votes in a poll of Super League players to lift the game's most coveted individual award.